For Kendal Reynolds and others who grew
up in the community, there is always something special about the
weekend when Chadds Ford Days rolls around.

“I grew up in Chadds Ford so this has
always been a tradition for us,” Reynolds explained during the
first day of this year’s event, which took place on the grounds of
the Chadds Ford Historical Society on North Creek Road on Sept. 12
and 13. “This has always been a family event—a gathering place to
celebrate the history in the area.”

This year, Chadds Ford Days wasn’t
just a celebration of history, it made a little history—this was
the 50th time that it has been held, and Reynolds, the president of
the Chadds Ford Historical Society's board of directors, and George
Franz, the chairman of Chadds Ford Days, were very pleased by the
celebration of the milestone.

The weekend was filled with activities
pertaining to history—there were Colonial demonstrations,
Revolutionary War reenactors, Civil War reenactors, and visits from
the likes of Gen. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and soldier
Ned Hector thanks to a number of historical impersonators. The John
Chads House was open for tours. Colonial demonstrators included
blacksmiths, dulcimers, gunsmiths, tapeloom weavers, and potters.
There was also a barn market with dozens of vendors showcasing their
wares.

“We like to be a part of what makes
Chadds Ford unique,” explained Franz, a past president of the
Chadds Ford Historical Society’s board of directors who has been
involved with Chadds Ford Days in one way or another since 1983.

Reynolds and Franz are always eager to
share the history of Chadds Ford Days as a community event. Chris
Sanderson is credited with starting the community tradition in the
1950s as a way to commemorate the anniversary of the Revolutionary
War’s Battle of the Brandywine.

The Battle of the Brandywine took place
on September 11, 1777 when Continental troops formed a line of
defense along the eastern bank of the Brandywine. Gen. George
Washington had selected this location to halt the British Army’s
advance toward Philadelphia. Gen. William Howe divided his forces to
outflank the Continental army in the Battle of the Brandywine. After
a day of fierce fighting, the American forces were forced to retreat
to Chester, leaving the British camped on the battlefield for five
more days. The British soldiers ransacked nearby homes during the
extended stay. While the battle was a loss for the Continental
troops, the fact that Gen. Washington was able to lead the American
forces away without being destroyed was very significant. Eventually,
the Continental troops managed to turn the tide. The Battle of the
Brandywine is a significant historical event.

Sanderson organized the first
community-wide celebration of the battle in 1957. Another event took
place in 1959, and several more were held in the years that followed.
During these early celebrations, local residents would parade through
the area.

While 2015 marked the 50th time that
Chadds Ford Days has been held, it became an annual event starting in
1968. The event evolved into an old-time country fair with events for
the whole family.

Chadds Ford Days became one of the
major events for the the Chadds Ford Historical Society, which
preserves and maintains the John Chads House and the Barns-Brinton
House. The historical society also operates the Barn Visitors Center,
and continues the historical research and collection of records and
artifacts of the region.

John Chads is an important figure in
local history. He was heir to his father’s 500-acre plantation
along the Brandywine. He hired John Wyeth, Jr. (no relation to the
Wyeth family of famous artists) to build a house on the banks of the
creek. Chads was moderately wealthy, but he was also a Quaker, and
the simplicity of the house reflects his religious heritage. His
house was completed sometime around 1725.

Chads married Elizabeth Richardson in
1729, and the house became their family home. Chads operated a tavern
and eventually started a ferrying service across the Brandywine. Both
businesses passed to a Chads' relative in the 1740s. Chads died in
1760, leaving his widow the use of the house and forty acres of land.
The story about how she remained in the house as the Battle of
Brandywine raged around her is often repeated.

The Barns-Brinton House is also an
important piece of local history. In the early 1700s, William Barns,
a blacksmith, saw the need for a tavern on what was then called “Ye
Great Road to Nottingham”—a major road on the route between
Philadelphia and Maryland. In 1714, Barns constructed a handsome
brick structure that was to become a tavern. He first requested a
license for a tavern in 1722 and operated it for at least several
years. When Barns passed away in 1731, he was in debt to 78 of his
neighbors.

The building changed owners several
times until James Brinton purchased the house and farmland in 1753.
Brinton was the grandson of the William Brinton, one of the earliest
settlers in the area.

Maintaining these buildings is an
important part of the Chadds Ford Historical Society’s mission, and
the historical society sponsors several events—Chadds Ford Days,
the Great Pumpkin Carve, and the Candlelight Christmas Tour—each
year to help with the costs associated with that maintenance.

Educating the public about local
history is another part of the mission. Programs for adults and
schoolchildren utilize the Barns-Brinton House, the John Chads House,
and the Barn Visitors Center. Visitors can see a demonstrations of
18th century skills, and guides lead groups on tours with interactive
activities.

Earlier this year, the historical
society hired Allison Schell as the program and development manager
to expand the education programming and extend the outreach through
various school visitations and summer camps.

Reynolds said that Schell “brings a
lot of energy to our programs,” and talked about the importance of
finding effective ways to share local history with young people.

“We’re looking at how our programs
reach the kids of today,” Reynolds explained. “How are the kids
of today going to learn about history?”

One example of how the historical
society is successfully teaching youngsters about this period in
history is Kyle Reynolds, who took part in the historical society’s
Junior Guides Program and learned how to make candles using 18th
century methods. He was doing a demonstration of this skill near the
John Chadds House during Chadds Ford Days.

Schell, who previously served as the
director of the Milton Historical Society, said that there’s a lot
to like about 18th century history, and plenty of opportunities to
make that history come alive for modern audiences.

“I like to make history accessible,”
Schell explained.

The addition of an energetic newcomer
like Schell helps with the historical society’s goal of respecting
history while also keeping things fresh and interesting. Organizers
are always looking for ways to add new elements to attract new people
to the event.

“Even though this is the 50th year
for Chadds Ford Days,” Reynolds explained, “some people may just
be getting to know us.”

Tom Singer, a member of the Chadds Ford
Historical Society’s board of directors, said that the opening of
the barn market probably doubled the number of vendors for the event,
just one illustration of how it keeps evolving to reach a broad
audience.

“There are some cool, creative
vendors this year,” Reynolds added.

One illustration of the enduring
popularity of Chadds Ford Days is the number of people who are
willing to volunteer their time and energy each year. Singer
estimated the number of volunteers at about 200.

“Without our volunteers, we wouldn’t
be able to put on an event like this,” Singer explained.

Reynolds singled out Franz for his
extraordinary dedication to Chadds Ford Days. Franz has studied the
battle and its place in local history. He also served on the
historical society’s board of directors, and also is very involved
with the presentation of Chadds Ford Days each year.

“He’s really a key figure in all of
this,” Reynolds said.

For more information about the Chadds
Ford Historical Society or next year’s Chadds Ford Days, visit
www.Chaddsfordhistory.org.